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About This Quiz
The ’60s and ’70s were a wild time, and the story of the cop named Serpico was a legend in the film industry. It set a style and story format that’s still being done. Take the "Serpico" quiz to find out more. Just keep your head down!
"Who can trust a cop who won’t take money?" This statement confirmed one thing for Serpico. What was it?
he was being bribed
police corruption was very common
When Serpico heard that statement, it was a confirmation. He knew that most precincts had corrupt officers in them.
he was expected to keep his mouth shut
he was supposed to look the other way
The movie is about the life and times of a cop named Serpico. What about this cop makes him an outsider in the force?
he doesn’t like socializing
he's too devious
he’s too honest
Serpico's story revolves around the fact that he's an honest cop.
he's not a team player
Serpico has his own morals and ethics. What is his biggest problem as a policeman?
drugs
gambling
organized crime
police corruption
Serpico is an idealistic man. He believes that cops should never be involved in anything questionable. Corruption is therefore not an option.
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"Serpico" needed an intense actor for the lead. Which actor took on the role?
Al Pacino
Al Pacino played Serpico. His preparation and style were perfect for the gritty movie.
Robert De Niro
Jack Nicholson
Marlon Brando
In which city does Serpico's story take place?
Boston
New York
Serpico's story happened in New York. The city itself was a sort of star in the movie.
Pittsburg
Chicago
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There's a specific form of crime that Serpico hates. What is it?
smuggling
court corruption
cooking books
pay-offs
The most common form of corruption is being paid off. It can be anything, from looking the other way, to leaning on someone.
What type of police officer did Serpico become in his later years on the force?
plainclothes
Plainclothes cops are called that because they don’t wear the usual uniforms. It's for going around unnoticed.
station desk
traffic
beat
When Serpico moved to a new New York apartment, he went to this part of town, which made it easier for him to be a part of the youth culture. Where did he move?
Greenwich Village
Greenwich village was one of the centers of counterculture in the 1960's. That's probably one reason why Serpico moved there.
Central Park
Fifth Avenue
Brooklyn
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Who else did Serpico live with in his new apartment, aside from his fiancée?
a mouse
a cat
a dog
Serpico's shaggy dog didn’t quite fit his personality.
a hamster
Even among plainclothes police officers, why was the free-wheeling Serpico considered extreme?
he was still neat
he had loud clothes
he didn’t follow dress codes
Cops out of uniform still followed a certain dress code. For Serpico, you really wouldn’t be able to tell that he was a cop because he didn’t follow dress codes.
he changed his look from day to day
Over time, Serpico was also developed into a specialist cop. What was his street role for the force?
accounting
complaints desk
property clerk
undercover
Given Serpico's character, it made sense for him to be an undercover cop. However, that also made life more dangerous for him.
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Serpico's first arrest in the film establishes his character. What crime against a person, specifically a woman, did the guy he arrested commit?
rape
The person caught was up for rape. Serpico caught him and his friends with the woman.
drug dealing
murder
bribery
What did Serpico do that made the rape suspect open up to him?
offered influence in the case
threatened him
talked to him nicely
Serpico knew that something was missing. He talked with the suspect in a civil way, and found out more information.
gave him a beating
When he was going after another guy while he was in civilian clothes, Serpico nearly has this happen to him. What was it?
tripped and lost his collar
shot by another criminal
shot by a cop
Serpico was nearly shot by another cop because they couldn't identify him as a cop, thanks to his clothes.
had his car shot at
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When did most of the events in the movie happen?
'50s
'60s
The events in the movie Serpico happened mostly during the 1960s , with the end towards the 1970s. The movie was a product of the times.
'70s
'80s
True or False: Was Serpico a real person?
true
Serpico is actually a biographical movie. The real Serpico is still active today, and still addressing police issues.
false
he was many people in one
the events around him were true
What did Serpico stand his ground on about his appearance?
tight shirts
dirty look
boots
head and facial hair
It was a reflection of his nonconformist attitude. Serpico started sporting longer hair and a mustache. Eventually, Serpico had a beard.
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Serpico was frustrated on many levels. What was his issue with his bosses?
they didn’t believe him
they were not prioritizing stuff
they were scared
they were indifferent
The city administration and upper police levels didn’t want to be embarrassed.
The film opens with Serpico being rushed somewhere. Where were they taking him?
courthouse
police station
hospital
Serpico was injured seriously.
town hall
When Serpico was injured at the beginning of the film, where on his body was he hurt?
leg
arm
face
Serpico had been shot in the face. It really looked like he wouldn't make it.
chest
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Cops normally have backup when they go into a dangerous situation. How did Serpico end up seriously injured?
his own backup shot him
he had no backup
backup left him hanging
It's a crime without evidence. Serpico's backup just didn’t back him up.
he went too far ahead
What was the nickname for the liberal youth culture in the 1960s?
hippie culture
The big liberal swing in 1960s youth culture was known as the hippie culture or movement. Scenes in "Serpico" showed that he was into this movement.
deadhead culture
drug culture
snowflake culture
Serpico’s character later felt very lonely. Why is that?
he stopped going to parties
he stopped visiting his family
his fiancée left him
It's the classic love life for the intense police officer. Serpico's fiancée left him because he was having trouble handling his job.
he became an introvert
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When you're under enormous stress, it sometimes affects other areas of your life. How did it affect Serpico?
he kept to himself
relationships deteriorated
Serpico's relationships with other people took a beating. His loved ones, friends, and workmates all suffered.
he turned to drugs
he started drinking a lot
The police take care of their own. What's one big-no-no that Serpico did, which made headlines?
he talked with a judge
he talked to the mayor
he talked to the media
Serpico must have felt very desperate. One approaches the media if they want the public to know something.
he talked to a private lawyer
Which type of media did Serpico approach?
newspaper
Serpico talked to the New York Times.. This made sure his expose would become the talk of the town.
radio station
magazine
TV station
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It was either a sign of how good he was or how much they wanted to get rid of him. To what division was Serpico assigned?
Gambling
Narcotics
Serpico was eventually put in the Narcotics group. This was seen as dangerous by his allies.
Smuggling
Prostitution
Towards the end of the movie, Serpico talked to a certain someone that probably earned him the ire of all the cops. Who did he talk to?
CIA
FBI
government commission
Serpico decided to go further than talking to others in his department. He talked to a special commission formed by higher government officials.
governor's office
After his injury, Serpico received the coveted detective's badge. Why wasn't he happy?
he knew it was a cover up
In Serpico's mind, his new rank was a hollow thing. He knew it was a bribe to silence him.
he knew that they were just humoring him
it wasn't because of his hard work
it was a warning
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After he broke the issue of police corruption to the public, what did he do?
he resigned
After all his years fighting the good fight, this was a sour ending. Serpico ended up resigning from the police force.
he joined the FBI
he created a new police group
he went vigilante
To which country did Serpico move?
Cambodia
Switzerland
In the ending text for the movie, Serpico supposedly moved to Switzerland.
Canada
Australia
Serpico found out he was getting a commendation for bravery, along with the other police officers. Why wasn't he honored by it?
the others didn't cover him
Serpico wasn't too happy about the other two cops being given commendations, since he knew they held back. That "allowed" him to get shot.
the others weren't there
he was lured to be killed
he hated being given commendations
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